US Market Analysis: Consumer Perception of Heat-Treated Rubies

Question
Hello Heather,
I am a gemstone enhancer from Thailand. I buy rough from various African countries. I heat-treat them with my three electric furnaces. I use lead oxide as one of my chemical compounds.
I need to know US consumer attitude toward heta-treated rubies. Do they accept this practice?
I am selling wholesale at $14.06/carat (sizes 3ct to 5ct).
Any potential market in the US for these quality/prices?
Thank you,
Teera T.  

Answer
This is an interesting question. It really depends on the sales channel. You can find heat treated ruby on different websites in America, and some people will buy it because it's such an attractive price. American's really prefer the best though, Burmese untreated ruby. But since the best carries a high price tag, those looking for a cheaper alternative will embrace a heat treated version, its very common. It's going to depend on the quality of the ruby to begin with as well. If your selling them as heated only, and not enhanced with resin or beryllium, then I would use this as a selling point. Since your price is so low I'm going to guess they are enhanced as well.

Over all you will be able to sell treated rubies in the US, you just have to find the best sales channel in which to do so.